Don't Need Insecticide-Treated Corn?

Good news! University studies demonstrate insecticide-treated seed protects grain yield only in limited circumstances (references below). If you don’t need insecticide-coated (Cruiser, Poncho, etc.) seed corn, don’t pay for it! Most seed companies treat all of their seed corn with insecticide. Now you have the option to choose.

WHEN SHOULD YOU USE SEED CORN COATED WITH INSECTICIDES?

There are definitely corn planting situations where insecticide-coated seed is economically justified because the growing seedlings are at high risk from insect pests such as white grubs, wireworms, cutworms, and seed corn maggots. We recommend insecticide-coated seed corn for for fields with:

• High-residue, including fields with significant biomass from cover crops

• Recent applications of manure

• Alfalfa or sod going into corn production

• High organic matter

• History of insects feeding on corn seedlings

Fields that don’t meet these criteria are good candidates for planting insecticide-free seed without losing stand or yield.

ARE INSECTICIDES HARMFUL?

Insecticides are developed to kill insects that damage growing crops, but can also kill off-target beneficial insects which are essential to life on earth. Insect populations around the world are declining at an alarming rate (see link below). Research has shown that insecticide-coated seed is a contributing factor in the decline of pollinator populations, including bees.

Neonicotinoid (and other systemic insecticide) seed coatings can do an excellent job of protecting growing seedlings from certain insect pests. We believe that when insecticides are properly tested, labeled, and applied they can be an important tool of production agriculture. But they are not needed on every field. We also believe farmers should be able to choose the appropriate level of seed protection for their farm.

FARMER’S CHOICE — SAVE $10/BAG

Save $10/bag when you order insecticide-free seed corn!*

Your conventional corn will still be treated with a package of fungicides to protect it from seedling diseases and 2 biologicals [SabrEx & Excellorate] to enhance its health and yield.